Szaranek’s finish in 100m seals double success

Mark Szaranek completed an impressive double and displayed the fighting qualities he will need at next month’s European Junior Championships with a comeback win in the 100m butterfly on the final day of the Scottish Gas National Open at Glasgow’s Tollcross International Centre.

The 17-year-old, who won the 200m individual medley on Saturday, was in seventh place at halfway but battled back to take the gold in 55.35. Second place went to the 2010 Commonwealth Games’ man, Cameron Brodie (University of Stirling) in 55.81

“I’ve just left school and will be taking a gap year to concentrate on trying to make next year’s Commonwealth Games (in Glasgow),” said Szaranek, who is coached by his Dad, John, at Dunfermline’s Carnegie Club.

“I’m going to the world championship trials in Sheffield later this month, but really just to get in some more racing before the European Juniors in Poland in the middle of next month.”

As ever, Hannah Miley was the most decorated swimmer at the Nationals. She won two events on each of the first three days and had qualified for both the finals of the 100m and 15000m freestyle yesterday, but, with the job done in terms of preparing for the world trials, she pulled out of both.

One of Scotland’s most experienced campaigners, the 23-year-old from Garioch will be aiming to qualify for the two individual medleys at next month’s world championships in Barcelona. She won a silver in the 400m medley in Shanghai two years ago.

“I always love competing at Scottish Championships and now I’ll start to taper towards the world trials,” she said. “I’ve not decided on my final programme in Sheffield, but the 400m and 200m medleys will be the priority.”

Jak Scott (University of Stirling) won the 100m freestyle on the opening day and he was also the top home swimmer in the 200m. He was just beaten by his English training mate Joshua Walsh (1:49.85) but was quite content with his time of 1:50.45, his fastest so far this year.

Edinburgh-born Scott swam for team GB at the 2011 world championship, but was gutted to miss out on the Olympics last ear and he admits it has taken a while to recover his drive and enthusiasm.

“I really was a bit down after missing out on London 2012 and so it was a tough start to the season, but I realised it was what I wanted to do and now I’m enjoying it again and fully committed to 2016,” he said.

“The world trials are going to be very tough because the team is smaller due to funding cuts.

“But a lot of the older guys have retired after the Olympics so there are openings to be filled.

“As for the Commonwealth Games next year, it is just going to be incredible. That’s a huge incentive to keep working hard.”

Kerry Buchan (University of Stirling) claimed the 200m breaststroke ahead of Kathryn Johnstone (Edinburgh University), who had won the 100m and 50m titles.

A Commonwealth Games swimmer in 2010 in New Delhi, 23-year-old Johnstone admits she is desperate to retain her place in the team for Glasgow next year.

“Being here and swimming in the Games’ pool is so exciting,” she admitted. “I can just imagine when it is absolutely packed and everyone is cheering for us.”

Buchan, from Aberdeen, is 26 and is aiming for her third Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. “That’s the goal that keeps me motivated,” admitted the veteran.

Rachel Masson (South Aberdeenshire) claimed her first Scottish National Open title with a 57.28 swim in the 100m freestyle, while Rory Lamont (West Dunbartonshire) snatched the 50m backstroke in 26.28.